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locos and rolling stock

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  • Member since
    May 2002
  • From: New Jersey
  • 318 posts
Posted by joecool1212 on Sunday, January 18, 2004 6:39 PM
Athearn is good entry level stuff it will last forever take lots of abuse and give you years of service but they tend to be noisy and some are stiff. They don't coast well. But they are easym to take apart and just about any part can be had for them. It would better to try a few first and when you get annoyed at the noise or are looking for a more detailed loco you can plop down about $110.00 to $150.00 Bucks for an Atlas or Kato. If your looking for a bargain check out Ebay you can get a $55.00 athearn new for about $30.00 or maybe even less. Have bought quite a few new and used and am very happy. If you are looking for somthing specific you can usually find stuff you cant find at the hobby shop. Almost like these guys buy out the the whole stock and sell it on ebay. Its worth a try. Good luck, Joe
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 18, 2004 4:57 PM
Proto 2000, Athearn, Spectrum, and Proto 1000 are all great for starting out.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 18, 2004 2:02 PM
i forgot to mention im using ho scale
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 18, 2004 1:58 PM
I'd do Athearn if its HO. You better get them soon because they just got purchased and may stop making the affordable trains.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 18, 2004 1:24 PM
That would be a question for your local hobby shop (LHS). You're best bet is to go in and check the gear, then before committing big chunks of money go through the sales adds in MR for a cost comparison.

Other information you'll need to provide when asking this question is:

What scale are you modelling? N, HO etc...

What era? steam, diesel, both

How serious are you? "this looks like fun" or " the guy with the most toys when he dies.... WINS!!!!

This is a hobby with good bottom end stuff at a moderate price as well as High end, let's go for that second mortgage to finance my empire stuff.

Personally I'm into HO, I prefer Athearn, Roundhouse, Atlas and Proto for rolling stock. I really like the Life Like Proto line. My Engines are manufactured by Athearn, IHC, Rivarossi and Spectrum IHC being Low end and Rivarossi being high end I can't speak for Life Like or Broadway as I haven't purchased any of their engines as of yet.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
locos and rolling stock
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, January 18, 2004 1:05 PM
whats up fellas i got question. i just started my 1st layout I just startyed laying track. but soon ill have to buy some locos and rolling stock! i was wondering what is a good manufacturer for the both at reasonable prices. thanks!!


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